Whistleblower Film Festival: The Insider October 22, 2009

Brought to you by Union of Concerned Scientists

Gripping drama tells the true story of Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe) a former tobacco executive who comes under personal and professional attack when he decides to appear in a "60 Minutes" expose on Big Tobacco. When the 60 Minutes episode on malpractices in the tobacco industry is not aired because CBS parent company Westinghouse fears angering major advertisers, the whistleblower and the journalists must battle to get the truth to the public. Also stars Al Pacino stars as producer Lowell Bergman and Christopher Plummer as Mike Wallace.
US, drama, 1999; 157m; directed by Michael Mann

Speaker: Dr. Jeffrey Wigand

Why:

This first-ever series is part of a landmark, nine-year legislative effort to restore credible whistleblower rights for government employees. The Whistleblower Film Series – part of the 9th annual DC Labor FilmFest -- showcases dramatic films that explore this vital issue at a critical time.

How:

Presented by the DC Labor FilmFest and supporters of whistleblower protection legislation, including the Project On Government Oversight, Public Citizen, the Government Accountability Project, the National Whistleblowers Center, Union of Concerned Scientists, Bernabei & Wachtel, the Fund for Constitutional Government, Clifford & Garde LLP, Katz, Marshall & Banks, the Ridenhour Prizes.